Courchevel Snow Report: 6th December 2015

Well, we’ve made it. We’re here. It’s happened and the waiting is over. 

Meribel and Courchevel have joined their big brother valley, Val Thorens and are now open. There is always the cautious anticipation in a ski resort about the snow, and after last year, which wasn’t good, many people - locals, seasonaires and holiday makers have had their apprehensions. Well, it’s OK. In fact it’s better than OK. It’s good. I have enjoyed two very full days of variety, good skiing across all 3 valleys with sublime weather today. Off piste is a no no, and there is the occasional stone or slightly brown snow!

What really makes the opening weekend so special are the ultra quiet pistes coupled with the hushed excitement for the season ahead in the air. Of course, more snow would be good, more lifts open would be better and a larger selection of restaurants and bars would be perfect - but life ain’t perfect!

Some statistics for the Courchevel Valley…

• Snow depth up top is around 60cm
• Snow depth lower down is around 20cm
• Lifts open in Courchevel - around 30 scheduled to be open this week (source: 3V addict)

Weather is forecast to be good with no new snowfall due. There has been rumoured a few centimetres over next weekend, but nothing life changing. However, because of the significant investment in artificial snow making, we will still be able to enjoy a wide selection of pistes as long as the temperatures remain low enough for the snow canons to operate.

Today I skied with a friend who is here for just 3 days. It was his first time on skis yesterday, and as I was keen not to send him home with a pair of crutches or arm in plaster he had a lesson yesterday, and made good enough progress to go it alone today. We opted for “Verdons”, a wonderfully long, wide and inviting green run just into the Courchevel bowl. What an incredible place for a beginner. Even offering the choice to branch out to some of the neighbouring greens and blues. After a few hours of practice, falls and frustration (no tears), we stopped for a welcome chocolate chaud at le Chalet de Pierre, one of the more up market hostelries on the mountain and very befitting for it’s proximity to Courchevel 1850.

The hot chocolate was out of this world, with the viscosity of liquid silk and so far removed form the watery, insipid offerings we all too often get. The price tag of 10 euros may sound steep - but it really was worth every cent! Whilst basking in the warmth of the glorious sunshine, beneath perfect blue skies, the gentle swish of the odd passing skier, my chum very cleverly described our experience as the Celebration of Winter…

Keep an eye out for my regular reports of conditions, forecasts and don’t forget to sign up to the dump alerts for real time notifications of great news…